Sick Leave in UAE: A Guide for Employers & Employees

Understanding the policies and benefits of sick leave is crucial for anyone working in the United Arab Emirates. Employees and employers must understand their rights and responsibilities regarding sick leave in UAE. The government of United Arab Emirates facilities has a significant framework to ensure the employees’ health and medical leave policies. With the required medical evidence, one can avail of health-related leaves and compensation.

There are lots of leave management software available to facilitate all types of leave. The leave management system supports both the employer and the employees to manage the leaves and access the leave records. Leave policies and compensation may differ depending on the employer’s policies and norms that were reviewed and mutually agreed upon during the onboarding process. In this discussion, we will review the sick policies in the UAE, the areas that both employees and employers must be aware of, and the process of availing medical leave and other compensation.

Who Is Eligible for Sick Leave in UAE?

Sick leave in UAE is applicable to specific eligibility criteria. Various factors are involved in the applicability. There are also slight changes in sick policies and eligibility based on company norms. Leave policies for all types of employment have been governed under the UAE Labor Law Act. Here are the various eligibility criteria.

According to the UAE Labor Law, an employee for health-related leaves is granted only if they have worked continuously for at least one year with the same employer. These timeframes may vary depending on the type of employment and company policies. For instance, some companies may demand at least six months’ service before granting medical leave. Moreover, employees who are on probation or trial period are not entitled to receive medical leave. Similarly, employees who are absent from work without any valid reason or who have consumed their annual leave entitlement may be disqualified from receiving medical leave. In general, employees with a good attendance record and an authorized medical certificate from a qualified health professional will be approved for medical leave.

Type of Employment

Sick leave in UAE is linked to the type of employment that the employee falls under. In a fixed-term contract, the employees can avail of paid medical absence after the completion of three months from the joining date. The number of paid and non-paid medical leave will be based on the labor contract policies.

In an unlimited contract employment type, the employee has no desired date and duration for the employment relationship. They can avail of medical leave after the completion of their probation period. In the case of part-time employment, the employees’ working hours have to be calculated on an hourly basis so that the employer mentions their medical absence policies in the employment contract agreement.

Permanent employees in the UAE can take health-related leaves after the completion of their probation period. They can also get more medical leave benefits. They can take a maximum of 90 days per year. For the first 15 days, they are eligible to get full pay and half pay for the next 30 days. Once they are entitled to 45 days of paid leave, they can take unpaid health-related leaves for 45 days.

Duration of Employment

The duration of employment plays a significant role in the applicability of health-related leaves for employees in the United Arab Emirates. During the probation period, no employees can entitle themselves to medical leave. Health-related leaves and other compensation have been applicable to employees after the completion of their probationary period. The duration may vary based on the employer norms.

Medical Evidence

Medical evidence is significant for employers in providing health-related leaves to employees. The employees must produce the appropriate medical evidence issued by the authoritative legal medical practitioner to their employer. The medical certificate has to mention the nature of the employee’s illness. In addition, the documents regarding the diagnosing report and the treatments that the employee has to undergo are considered to be enclosed in the medical certificate. The medical certificate has to mention the number of medical leave that the employees require for recovery.

Compliance With Company Policies

The sick leave has to be subject to legal compliance with the labor law governed by the UAE. The number of medical leave, paid and unpaid sick days, eligibility norms for health-related leaves applicability, and the required documents have to be mentioned in the employment agreement. After submitting the necessary medical records, the employers have to verify the authenticity of the employee’s submitted medical documents. Should any part of the documentation be determined as fraudulent, the request for medical leave will not be approved, and the company will proceed with legal action.

How Long Are Sick Leaves for Employees in the UAE?

The duration of health-related leaves is based on the employees’ medical conditions and may vary depending on the type of employment. Health-related leaves policies are regulated under the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR). Employees can be entitled to short-term and long-term medical leave based on their medical conditions, with both paid and unpaid leaves. They can avail themselves of a maximum of 90 days of medical leave.

Sick leave in UAE has been divided into short-term and long-term leave. Short-term health-related leaves can be entitled to between 15 and 30 days. After that, if the employee needs health-related leaves, they can be entitled to up to 90 days, including the number of leaves that they already have. The employees avail the first 45 days as paid leave and the remaining 45 as unpaid leave.

Compensation for Employees on Sick Leave in the UAE

Employees can take paid health-related leaves during illness. In addition, employers offer medical insurance schemes. The insurance schemes support the employer during medical assistance. The employees can benefit from medical coverage and cover their medical expenses. The medical insurance schemes cover the Doctor’s consultation fee, medicine expenses, and hospitalization costs.

Procedures for Taking Sick Leave

Many steps involved in taking health-related leaves have to be aligned with legal compliance and the employer’s policies. The proper procedure benefits both the employee and the employer. The steps involved in the procedure have been mentioned below.

1. Intimation to the Employer

The initial step for taking sick leave is to inform the employer, concerned manager, supervisor, or human resource professional of your request. Each employer has specific procedures for taking health-related leaves. Prior or immediate notification of the medical leave to the concerned authority enhances their ability to take necessary action to maintain work progress.

2. Submitting the Required Medical Documents

The employees must submit medical evidence about their health. An authorized legal medical practitioner must issue medical reports and other documents. The medical certificate should notify the availing date, when, the reason for availing the leave, and any further treatments. The employees must submit the medical certificate, other medical reports, and any other specific documents if required.

3. Record Keeping

Employees must keep a copy of their submitted documents for future reference. Both the hard and soft copies have to be saved by the employees. If the employer misses any documents, you can deal with the copies you have submitted before. If any disputes arise in the future regarding the medical leave of the employee or the claiming of compensation, the copy of the submitted medical records supports the employee.

4. Work Resuming Notification

It is a type of professional intimation from the employee to the employer about their work resumption. The employees have to send the information to the relevant authority in advance. This notification enables the employer to know about their employees’ resumption so that they can schedule work for them. It also allows the employee to prepare themself to resume the work.

Rights and Responsibilities of an Employee on Sick Leave in UAE

Rights

Employees can take sick leave in UAE if they have health issues and meet the eligibility requirements. Working professionals must know their leave policies and other compensation benefits. It is their right to understand the benefits and essential breaks they can avail themselves of during their illness, governed by United Arab Emirates labor law. An employee can access sick days if they suffer any health issues. During medical leave, no employee is subject to termination.

Responsibilities

Before taking health-related leaves, the individuals must provide proper intimation to the concerned authority. Only then can the employer allocate the work. The employees must comply with legal requirements while taking health-related leaves. The employees must realize their responsibilities while taking a break from their dirty work. This enhances a good relationship and mutual understanding between them and their employer.

Conclusion

When working in the UAE, it’s important to understand sick leave policies governed by the labor law. Employees have the right to privacy regarding their health issues but must provide necessary medical reports and documents. Employers must grant health-related leave if employees meet eligibility criteria. It’s crucial to follow legal compliance and company norms throughout the process. Employees on health-related leave cannot be terminated. Health insurance benefits should cover doctor consultations, medications, primary diagnosis, and treatments. Financial support for serious health issues is important. Mutual understanding and professionalism between employees and employers are essential. Consider using factoHR’s leave management system to manage your leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an Employer Terminate Their Employee During Sick Leaves in UAE?

According to the labor law of the United Arab Emirates, employees can take sick leave if they are eligible. During health-related leaves, the employee gets the corresponding compensation based on their health conditions. During health-related leaves, the employees are not subjected to termination by the employer.

Is Work From Home Applicable for Employees During Health-Related Leaves?

Work from home during health-related leaves is based on the employee’s medical condition. If the employee’s health conditions permit it, they can avail themselves of this option. If not, the employer cannot ask the employee to work from home.

Are Employers Required to Pay Employees During Health-Related Leaves?

Yes, employers are obligated to pay employees their full salary for the first 15 days of health-related leaves. For subsequent days, employees may receive reduced pay depending on their length of service.

Can Employees Take Health-Related Leaves Without Providing a Medical Certificate?

No, employees must provide a medical certificate issued by a UAE-approved medical facility for health-related leaves exceeding two consecutive days or more than two occasions in a month.

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